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The occurrence of several episodes of a flu like illness experienced sporadically over a 10 year period by workers was investigated. The illness occurred after working in the forming basement of a fiberglass manufacturing facility. Workers in the basement were exposed to a mist generated from recirculated wash water. Analysis of the water in the recirculator demonstrated high concentrations of gram negative bacteria and endotoxin. A decrease in diffusion capacity was recognized in 20 workers with a history of experiencing the flu like illness [severe basement flu (SBF)]. SBF was more common in workers with intermittent exposure to the endotoxin-containing mist compared to those with daily exposure. Asthma was also prevalent in the study population, particularly among workers with daily, rather than intermittent exposure to endotoxin-containing mist. The authors conclude that high level endotoxin exposure resulted in two distinct sequelae: a flu like illness associated with chronically decreased diffusion capacity; and asthma.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 28(4):469-488, 1995. (60 references)
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